Technical Business Analyst – ICT Projects - 2 Posts

Education Authority; Armagh; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Education Authority is seeking a Technical Business Analyst for ICT projects who will facilitate successful program delivery and support business requirements gathering and process improvements. Candidates should possess strong analytical and communication skills, coupled with the ability to lead workshops and collaborate with stakeholders effectively.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Family-friendly policies

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years experience in Business Analysis or 5 years without a qualification.
• Knowledge of market analysis and procurement processes.
• Experience in supporting ICT projects and leading workshops.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with business areas to document processes and identify efficiencies.
• Support Business Partners in managing project deliverables within budget.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Technology skills

Education

Third level qualification in Business Administration, Management, Information Technology

Tools

MS Office

Databases

Visio

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Technical Business Analyst – ICT Projects

RESPONSIBLE TO: Business Partner, ICT Business Partner Leads, ICT Projects

JOB PURPOSE

The post-holder will report directly to the ICT Business Partners and Business Partner Leads and will be required to work effectively with senior staff across the directorate and EA.

The role will involve working closely within the ICT Projects Services team and with the ICT Head of Service to ensure successful programme delivery and support Business Analysts with requirements, process mapping, delivery and procurement on time and within budget.

Define business requirements to support procurement exercises for new service delivery and report to relevant stakeholders.

Analyse the market and identify suitable applications and ensure the Programme meets the application needs of the EA.

Strong technology, analytical and communication skills are must-have traits.

To lead and manage workshops as required

Report findings to stakeholders

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Liaise with EA business areas to identify and document existing business processes within programme scope, identifying gaps and proposing efficiencies where relevant.
• Support the Business Partners to ensure all deliverables within Business Analyst function are managed effectively, efficiently and within budget.
• Working closely with Business Users, project and technical teams to develop and enhance business processes, drive improvement and ensure delivery of key business and systems projects.
• To work closely with team members to ensure that all project requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track. Assist with submitting project deliverables and preparing status reports, as well as the proper execution of the Business Analyst Strand of said plans.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement to improve quality, efficiency and/or value to support ICT projects in achieving the strategic and operational objectives of the directorate.
• Manage risks that may arise within their area of responsibility and develop controls to mitigate them, ensure any risks or issues are escalated appropriately before they develop into an issue.
• Work closely with the PMO and Head of Project’s to ensure that all project deliverables conform to the PM framework.
• Provide the Business Partner and Business Partner Leads with project management support as required.Ensure that employees within the ICT Team are provided with clear structure, strategies, policies and processes for their system/service are implemented while maintaining the high standards of the Authority and any future challenges.
• To assist with the development of process documentation (including process maps), business cases and procurement documentation to support the Business in achieving the strategic and operational objectives of their directorate.
• To assist with gathering and understanding requirements, development and management of requirements and functional testing.
• To assist with the writing of functional specifications and use cases, including detailed user and data requirements.
• Modelling business data structures and integrations, assessing and documenting current and future processes. Maintain and manage information, record, paper and reports on behalf of the Business Partner and Business Partner Leads.
• Support the Business Partner and Business Partner Leads with the preparation for, attendance at and actions arising from meetings as required.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders across all EA Directorates as required.
• Operate with EA’s strategic direction, relevant legislation, industry best practice and other public sector policies and guidance at the core of delivery. Contribute to emerging developments as required.
• Provide cover for the Business Partner when required.
• To ensure that systems/services are delivered efficiently and effectively through the associated responsibilities and meets the needs and standards expected of a leading public service organisation.
• To promote the corporate vision, values and culture of EA as a single regional organisation, in all processes linked to maintenance, development and implementation of their element of project assignment.

This job description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive. EA reserves the right, in consultation with the post-holder, to amend the job description to meet the changing needs of the organisation.

In addition to the above, the post-holder will, in accordance with Section 75 of the NI Act (1998), be expected to promote Good Relations, Equality of Opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, clickhere.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and whichmay also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/
Experience

Hold a third level qualification (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 4), or an equivalent or higher qualification, relating to Business Administration, Management, Information Technology and have a minimum of two years’ demonstrable experience working in the field of Business Analysis.

OR

Have a minimum of five years’ demonstrable experience working in the field of Business Analysis.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Skills/
Abilities Demonstrable knowledge of MS office, applications such as Excel, Databases, Powerpoint, Visio used for documenting and reporting

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Have demonstrable experience of working to deadlines and multiple tasks simultaneously, where you have made an impact within your role.

Have demonstrable experience of understanding and documenting client requirements using a range of investigation techniques and analysis tools to define business problems/requirements.

Have demonstrable experience of building and maintaining successful working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
The successful candidate will be required:

to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;

OR

be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Skills/
Abilities

In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:

Demonstrable knowledge on capturing an “As Is” analysis (current state of process, kinks & all) and presenting the “To Be” (future state of process).

Experience of running business process design and configuration workshops

Experience in writing test scripts and undertaking UAT

Experience of collating training materials and support with training workshops

Strong collaborative skills to build genuine and productive relationships with internal & external stakeholders.

A customer focused passion for creating solutions with a positive attitude to implementing improvements/change.

Interview

Knowledge Proven effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to successfully manage multi-priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.

Interview

Values Orientation
Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Valueshere.

Interview

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Skills/
Abilities

Have demonstrable experience of workshop facilitation to define business problems/requirements.

A proven ability to analyse business information and to apply innovation and initiative in solving problems through informed decision-making.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background.Please note that youWILLbe expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed atNI Director theDepartment of Justice.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here .

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.